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The Modest Mermaid Doll! (pattern/tutorial)

Thursday, July 21, 2011

A few days ago I made the birthday doll, however I wanted to improve upon the pattern and since my daughters birthday is a beach theme I thought I'd make her a second birthday doll.

PS. If you have made one of these - I'd love to see it and hear how the pattern worked for you! Post a pic to flickr!

Introducing my newest creation!

If you want to purchase this doll instead of making your own - go here or here!

I have taken the time to scan in the pattern pieces for you readers (please let me know if you make one and post a link on this post - I'd LOVE to see your creations!)

The pattern comes in 4 documents that you can find here 1,2, 3, and 4. You will also need to cut 1 ruffle piece that is 13 inches x 2.5 inches. Also note that when cutting the second body piece for the back cut straight across. Everything should be clearly labelled and the only piece you will have to tape together is for the mermaid tail. Any questions please feel free to ask!

ETA: I've heard the pattern pieces do not open up/print to the correct size in Internet Explorer.

*the body piece is 5.5inches across at the bottom and 4 inches across at the top and 6 inches long. (ish - use the neck piece as a guide for the top width and the bottom angle out 6 inches long and an 1 inch and half or 2 wider at the bottom than the top - whatever you think looks good)

The Tutorial:

Step 1: Work on the face. Pin the hair and cheeks on. I hand stitched the cheeks on because I like the look and hate sewing in such a small circle. Then sew on the hair by stitching along the edge. Paint on the face. D
o a small hair accessory if you want - I did a starfish that you will see in a later photo.

Step2: take your ruffle piece and fold it in half (hot dog way) and sew a gathering line, gather it then baste stitch it onto your mermaid doll head front.

Step 3: Pin and stitch the back of the bodice to the back neck piece and the front mermaid head/neck/ruffle to the body.

then stitch the back head to the back neck (this pinning is a bit time consuming)

Step 5: pin the arms in like seen below so that when you turn your doll out they will face inwards.

when pinning/stitching the doll together i find it easiest to pin and stitch in 2 stages.

Stage 1: from one underarm to the other underarm

stage 2: leave a gap under one of the arms, to pull an arm out (so you have somewhere to stuff in the legs and turn the doll out) stitch around up to the spot you left off.

Turn the doll out by that gap where you have the arm popping out and then stuff your doll however full you like (I do a sturdy head and neck stuffing and then a lighter amount of stuffing for the body so it's cozier). Hand stitch that gap closed and admire the doll! (only the tail left to do!)

Isn't she cute!

Now onto the tail (which you will be very happy to find quite easy). Pin your tail together and stitch around leaving the top open and turn out.

I stuffed the bottom of the tail and then stitched a line across because it seemed like the right choice to make - and I love the result and highly recommend you do this step.

Do a double fold hem and then shirr the top (you can do elastic casing if you want but I find shirring to be easier.)

and that is you tail done!

Close up of her face:

I let the babes see her early... Because I was excited, now the mermaid is put away until birthday time!

70 comments

This is so adorable! Thank you so much for the pattern and tutorial. I pinned you, I may not get a chance to make this for quite a while (baby girl isn't even here yet, so I have time) but I really want to make it. So someday. :) Thank you, thank you, thank you!

That is SO darling! I just love her sweet little face and the star in her hair. I have 2 nieces who I bet would LOVE to have her . . . I'll be filing this one away for a birthday! Thanks so much for the pattern!

This is seriously so cute! I am sorry that our link party was not working either- it is up and running now! I would love to have you come link this up! -Camille @ Six Sisters Stuffsixsistersstuff.blogspot.com

This is adorable...i printed off the pattern pieces to make this, but I don't see a pattern or measurements for the body of the doll...did I miss that somewhere? Can you let me know what size the body pieces need to be cut? Thank you so much for this tutorial and pattern. I'm so excited to make this.serena(dot)gerke(at)gmail(dot)com

Thank you so much for sharing these! We are featuring them tomorrow, so feel free to stop by and pick up a button! Thank you so much for linking up to Strut Your Stuff Saturday! We are so grateful for your support and we hope that you will be back tomorrow to share more great ideas!Camille @SixSistersStuff.blogspot.com

Love this! Thank your for sharing it!I am sharing it as a featured project on our next Playdate at Beneath the Rowan Tree (goes live Sunday evening, July 31).Please feel free to snag a 'Featured' button and share the love!

this is definitely the best idea I've seen today. I'm so impressed. I really wish I could sew good. If you have time, I'd love you to link this on my party. http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/2011/08/t-time-21-and-link-up.html

thank you so very much for taking the time to link up to my party! It was my first one and I'm just honored that people actually joined up. I wanted to tell you I featured you on the top of my party today!

I'd be just tickled pink to see you join up again today! Have a lovely day, Maria http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/

These are fabulous! Thank you for sharing with Blog Stalking Thursday. I have featured you from last weeks party. Don't forget to stop by and grab a featured button! I can't wait to see what you post next!

Very cute. If having trouble printing with internet explorer, just save to your computer and then print. Mine came out the correct size. I will be making these on behalf of World of Charity Stitching for Sacred Heart Children's Hospital.

Just ran across the Modest Mermaid (July 21) but can't find the pattern. When I click on your instructions:"The pattern comes in 4 documents that you can find here 1, 2, 2=3, and 4." I get an invitation to try 5 GB of Google Drive. Am I doing something wrong?

I love these little mermaids! I love that you can remove the tail and still have a cute little doll to play with! Thanks for sharing! I featured it here: http://www.plushiepatterns.com/mermaid-doll-tutorial-by-the-crafting-fiend/